A retired Pennsylvania state trooper was killed in a helicopter crash this morning in Bucks County.

The crash happened around 6:30 a.m. in a wooded section of Everbreeze Drive in Tinicum Township, authorities said. Pennsylvania State Police identified the pilot as retired Cpl. Doug Brigham. It is believed he was the only person in the aircraft.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion near Uhlerstown Road and then seeing flames. The helicopter was destroyed, authorities said.

According to WPVI-TV, Brigham was a member of the volunteer fire company that responded to his crash and the township's Emergency Management Department. Neighbors said Brigham was an experienced pilot, and even had a landing pad in his backyard. It is believed he took off from that landing pad Wednesday morning.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.